ECOSOC &
REGIONAL BODIES
Reimagining Money in a Digital Age:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
The future of global finance is at a crossroads, and the role of money in this digital age has become uncertain. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will examine the benefits and risks of cryptocurrency, the possibility of a global currency, and the role of the IMF at large.
Topic 1 will explore how crypto mining has exacerbated global resource disparities and raised questions about environmental sustainability. Delegates will debate on international restrictions on crypto mining, the role of the IMF in regulating crypto currencies, and measures that can be taken to allow developing countries to have equal opportunities for developing countries to compete on the world stage. In Topic 2, delegates will discuss the prospect of a global currency as well as the pros and cons of the internationalization of monetary policy. Regional currencies like the Euro and their effect on regional economic security will also be evaluated. Additionally, government intervention on exchange rates and equitable representation in global financial governance will be discussed.
Where Culture Informs Curriculum:
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
In a rapidly evolving digital world, equitable access to cultural and informational resources is vital to sustainable human development. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will address the growing disparities in access to arts education and information literacy in the age of new media.
Topic 1 will explore the global inequalities in access to the arts, particularly in underfunded and marginalized communities, where a lack of arts education, funding, and educational resources limits creative development. Delegates will also debate copyright regulations, AI-generated artwork, and the promotion of music and visual arts across countries’ borders. Topic 2 will focus on the growing need for new media and information literacy in a world where economic disparities hinder global literacy and equal access to technologies. Delegates will examine disparities in access to digital learning technologies, censorship of online speech, and restrictions on social media platforms that suppress the free flow of information. Finally, the committee will inquire how critical thinking and literacy skills can be taught in schools to combat online misinformation.
From Health to Humanity:
The World Food Programme (WFP)
The global food system is central to our well-being, and yet, it is currently facing unprecedented challenges from global conflicts, climate change, and harmful chemical practices. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term structural reforms needed to ensure safe and equitable access for all people.
Topic 1 will examine the intersection of health, nutrition, and social protection, including the delivery of food aid in warzones. Delegates will explore examples of how malnutrition and hunger has been politically weaponized and discuss support for vulnerable populations. This topic will encourage countries to make meaningful progress towards “Zero Hunger,” one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Topic 2 will focus on food safety, specifically on the use of pesticides and preservatives. Delegates will discuss international regulations for the safe use of pesticides and preservatives as well as methods to the collection of diverse global data on health damage associated with foods containing pesticides and preservatives.
The Earth, The Sky and The Sea:
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
In a world where there is no arbiter above the state, it turns to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to deliver the verdict on national sovereignty, damage liability, and the interpretation of international law. Delegates will re-examine two pivotal mid-20th century cases that continue to influence global legal frameworks today.
Case 1 is the Anglo-Norwegian Fisheries Case of 1951, in which the United Kingdom contested Norway’s maritime boundary claims following the arrest of British fishers in the waters in question. Delegates will role-play as legal advocates and judges to debate the legality of Norway’s territorial delineation, which was ultimately upheld by the ICJ and later informed the creation of the Exclusive Economic Zone under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Case 2 is the Aerial Incident of July 27, 1955 where Bulgaria shot down an Israeli civilian aircraft. This case is between Bulgaria and the United States. There is no official ICJ ruling on the case because the U.S. withdrew its complaint. This means that delegates will be able to debate on the evidence and deliver a truly original verdict.
NOTE: ICJ has distinct Rules of Procedure from other committees in the ECOSOC & Regional Bodies Branch. In addition, roles for staff will be slightly different (ex., ICJ President and ICJ Vice President instead of Director and Vice Director). Delegates in this committee will take turns role-playing advocates of a country and ICJ judges.
Out of the Woods and Into the Forest:
United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)
Forests are a key component of sustaining life on land, but they are currently threatened by anthropogenic activities that cause climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) aims to develop new socioeconomic initiatives to effectively recover and preserve terrestrial ecosystems for a more sustainable future.
Topic 1 will focus on reversing the loss of forest coverage through the enhancement of agricultural practices, reforestation initiatives, and protection against illegal logging. Additionally, public policies relating to land use, property rights, and afforestation initiatives will be explored, as they are part of a multifaceted solution for loss of livelihoods in rural communities and increase of carbon emissions. Topic 2 will pertain to sustainable methods of forest management, which includes debate on international law for forest conservation, scientific data collection for monitoring forests, and climate resilience for forest management. It is with great hope that these discussions will lead to multifaceted resolutions that protect biodiversity, incorporate Indigenous rights into forest management systems, and utilize technological innovations to improve the ecological health of forests around the world.
Unseen, Not Unfelt:
Commission on Population and Development (CPD)
As the world entered the twenty-first century, global fertility rates have been rapidly declining. Many people are now forgoing marriage and having children, which raises concern about demographic stability for the future. The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) aims to address the social and economic factors that contribute to the global decline in fertility and mental health, as they have the potential to become existential threats.
Topic 1 will discuss the global implications of population decline, which includes the ineffectiveness of pro-natalist policies due to rising inflation and disruptions to global labour markets. Moreover, public policies relating to immigration, elder care, and education will be addressed, as they all relate to sustainable development without growing populations. Topic 2 will explore resolutions to the global mental health crisis, because unequal access to mental healthcare and the rise of digital environments are major reasons for why less people are marrying and having children. Furthermore, delegates will be exploring how to change the cultural stigma of mental health in education and employment systems, which have already been changing since the end of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
La Tierra Y La Libertad:
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced tremendous amounts of social and economic development since the twentieth century, but the United Nations has recently projected a downward growth projection of the region. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will concentrate on alleviating financial stagnation and poverty that are barriers to social and economic development for the future.
Topic 1 discusses the reduction of social and economic development traps by looking at anti-corruption reforms, human capital investment, and improving both rural and urban infrastructure. Furthermore, climate change resilience, digitalization in rural areas, and preventing the spread of illicit economies will also be explored as part of long-term resolutions for socioeconomic development traps. Topic 2 addresses income inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean, which includes subtopics like improving access to quality education, progressive taxation policies, and labour rights for informal employment. Delegates will also confront issues of representing vulnerable communities in governance, decreasing regional inequality in urban and rural areas, and sustainable infrastructure development to resolve inefficiencies in socioeconomic development.
Brainstorm:
Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)
The world has seen a proliferation of technology and digitalization since the mid-twentieth century, but the benefits of those systems remain unevenly distributed across the globe. The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) seeks to further disseminate the benefits of neural and geoengineering with long-term plans that are sustainable and ethical.
Topic 1 will discuss the diversification of economies through emerging technology such as neural and geoengineering, which encompasses brain-computer interfaces, ethics surrounding neuroscience, and geoengineering to address climate change. In addition to exploring the economic benefits of these technologies, delegates will also confront issues related to equitable access for neural and geoengineering technologies while developing technology transfer plans between developed and developing countries. Topic 2 will explore technology foresight for sustainable development, as it is important to approach technological advancements in a multidisciplinary manner, integrate foresight into national innovation strategies, and conduct risk assessments for neural and geoengineering. Delegates are encouraged to think about the gaps in research and development for these emerging technologies and discover how public-private stakeholder participation can lead to long-term sustainability models for development.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ECOSOC & REGIONAL BODIES?
Reach out to our Co-Directors of ECOSOC & Regional Bodies, Christopher Rhee and Rick Dong, at ecosoc@utmun.org.